2018 NFL draft: Rams trade versatile Tavon Austin to Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys are looking for offensive skill position help after cutting Dez Bryant and the reported pending retirement of Jason Witten, and took some steps toward reloading with the selections of receiver Michael Gallup on Friday night and tight end Dalton Schultz on Saturday.

And now they’ve taken one more: the Cowboys acquired Tavon Austin from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a sixth-round pick (192nd overall).

Austin was the eighth overall pick in 2013, but he’s largely been a disappointment: his best season to date was 2015, and even then he didn’t total 1,000 yards from scrimmage; that year, Austin had 473 yards on 52 receptions and 52 carries for 434 yards. He did have nine touchdowns.

Last year, Austin played in all 16 games, with just 13 catches, though he did have a career-high 59 carries.

NFL Network analyst Charlie Casserly was unimpressed with the move, bluntly saying it was “nothing for nothing” when the trade was discussed.

Austin reportedly was told earlier this year that he would be cut, but instead the 27-year-old agreed to a paycut. He’s slated to earn $5 million guaranteed in 2018 with an addition $2 million in game-day roster bonuses and $1 million in incentives possible. But the Rams already paid $4 million of that money last month, so the Cowboys will pay Austin $4 million at most.